346 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



appears by day-light of a fine dark green, but 

 by candle-light of a bright red colour; a 

 small quantity is green by day-light or can- 

 dle-light ; a large quantity seems imper- 

 vious to day-light, but when held between 

 the eye and the candle, or between the eye 

 and the sun, it appears red. If put into a 

 flat bottle, it appears green sideways ; but 

 when viewed edgeways, red. 



According to Turner, the smell of mint 

 corroborates the brain, and not only pre- 

 serves, but also increases the memory. 



PEPPERMINT.— PIPERITA. 



This species of mint is also indigenous to 

 Britain, and is said by the French botanists 

 to have been found only in this country. The 

 peppermint has a smooth purple stalk, and 

 cannot be mistaken, from its penetrating 

 smell, and more pungent glowing taste ; sink- 

 ing, as it were, on the tongue, which is fol- 

 lowed by a sensation of coldness that is very 

 agreeable. It is still much cultivated, for 

 medicinal purposes, as well as for distillation. 

 A cordial is made from this plant, much ad- 

 mired by country people. 



